Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

Blocks, Blockheadedness and Accidental Upzoning

Last week’s post was about Vulcan’s/UW proposed “Phase III” development. The city is using an awkward and flawed process to “upzone” a single block, for the benefit of one land owner, namely, Vulcan. The current post will continue to outline why this might not be the proper way to do land use planning in this, or any other, neighborhood.

First there are the blocks. Diane Sugimura, the Director of the Department of Planning and Development for the city of Seattle told in an email interview on 10/16/09 that “There are no other blocks that satisfy the criteria set out in the proposed ordinance.”

Lloyd Douglas of the Cascade Neighborhood Council, and I as a Board member of the Lake Union Opportunity Alliance, have determined that this is not true. That we amateurs are apparently more capable than the city of determining the actual blocks to which this legislation could apply is a little bit disconcerting. Must be some blockheadedness somewhere in the process.

To qualify to increase zoning from 65′ to 125′, a site has to meet the following conditions:

A site is bounded on two sides by arterials and is greater than 60,000 square feet in area and no more 100,000 square feet in area;

If you are willing to endure a bit of a learning curve, King County helpfully offers parcel information using their iMap service, which can be found here.

If you intersect the maps, as we did (with just a little bit of work), you will find one additional block that clearly meets these definitions. This block is 61,440 square feet, and meets all other requirements as outlined in the proposal. The city has confirmed this, and is working “to restrict the focus (of the proposal) further”.

How about if they restrict it to the ultimate degree? How about they just punt it clear out of play. They’ve had a series of downs here, and they’ve fumbled and otherwise failed. Enough already. It’s a tar baby: the more you touch it, the messier you’ll get.

Don’t be a blockhead.

Another block potentially fits the proposal, but it is a little more difficult to put all the pieces together for this second. Stick with me here.

The block here, bounded by 9th Avenue N and Westlake Ave n (east/west) and Mercer and Republican (north/south), Vulcan owns all of those parcels except for one of them. If they could just get an alley vacation, then presto! Another block upzoned.

I also heard a rumor that the letter of support for this project from SLUFAN was drafted by Vulcan. Oy. Naievete or cupidity, you be the judge. Vulcan helping draft things like this sounds like the wolf helping the chickens petition the farmer to let them become free range.

So what can you do?
a) Comment below, everyone interested will be reading here.
b) Call, email, or write city officials offering your best guidance.
c) Attend the city council hearing on this matter, and voice your displeasure (or support).

It’s happening Thursday, November 12th in the City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, and starts at 5:30 p.m.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.